Marketing manager’s murder sparks row in Imo community

OWERRI — The sleepy rural Amainyi community in Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State has been thrown into confusion following the gruesome murder of the Marketing Manager, Ihitte Uboma Business Unit of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, Mr Coleman Oguayo, by unknown persons.

The late EEDC marketing manager resides in Umuahia, Abia State, from where he goes to his Ihitte Uboma office daily.

A villager, who spoke on strict grounds of anonymity, told Vanguard that Oguayo came home last Wednesday, joined some other villagers to watch a World Cup match before retiring to his private residence.

It was also gathered that his wife called her late husband’s mobile telephone line several times Thursday morning and became visibly alarmed when there was no response.

According to the villager, “obviously alarmed by the unusual behaviour, the woman quickly raced home to ascertain what had gone wrong.

“On getting home, the man’s wife noticed that the gate into the family compound was unlocked and she decided to invite some others to accompany her into the compound.

“On entry, they saw Coleman lying at the sit‑out dead, while his hands were tied to his back. That was how the sordid drama of the man’s death started to unfold.”

The late Coleman’s brother, Mr. Virginus Oguayo, former coordinator of Ihitte Local Government Development Area, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, also confirmed the incident, adding that part of the information received from the Divisional Police Officer for Ihitte Uboma was that “the man was living in a lonely place.”

Meanwhile, scores of aggrieved Amainyi youths have demonstrated against the murder.

Many of the protesting youths, who spoke to Vanguard said there was no political undertone in the murder, adding that he was never known to be a card-carrying member of any political party.